Two fox hunters plead guilty to animal cruelty charges
Posted 10th October 2022
Monday, October 10, 2022
It follows a covert investigation by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports at the farm where the hunt was based which revealed dogs being kept in awful conditions.
The footage included a foxhound being kicked and stamped on, another being chained up for days, some dead foxhounds being incinerated at the farm and a terrier being chained and kept in appalling conditions without water.
The League’s investigation led to a raid by North Wales Police and the RSPCA in November 2021 and the seizure of 34 dogs, including the entire foxhound pack. Evidence obtained during the raid led to a series of charges being made against the individuals.
The case has been adjourned for sentencing on November 7 at 2pm.
Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These dogs were treated disgustingly by people who should not have been allowed near them in the first place, and shows the blatant disregard those in the hunting community have for animals, whether wildlife or hound.
“Those who abuse animals for ‘sport’ will disgust the public and deserve to face the full weight of the law and go to jail.”
David William Thomas, aged 56, of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, in North Wales has run the Dwyryd Foxhounds since 1994 but had been banned for keeping dogs for eight years following a conviction for badger baiting in February 2018.
He pleaded guilty to six charges under the Animal Welfare Act relating to the treatment of his pack of foxhounds and other animals including a terrier, lurchers and two ferrets and being in breach of a disqualification order for keeping dogs.
His son, Carwyn Fazakerley, aged 18, pleaded guilty to a charge that 29 dogs were not kept in a suitable environment.
The RSPCA safely housed all the animals that were seized in the raid.
Ends
Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk
